'Hawks' to replace Confederacy-linked Hays High 'Rebel' mascot; district to rebrand school
BUDA -- As part of a wave of racial and historical reckoning across Central Texas, Hays High School students will become "Hawks," more than a year after the school district recommended changing the "Rebel" mascot because of its ties to the Confederacy.
After conducting a survey of students, teachers and staff members, Hays school district administrators recommended in July that the school board allow the change of the high school’s mascot — a move that will take effect in the fall, starting with the 2021-22 school year.
The survey showed that nearly 60% of the students, and more than 70% of the teachers and staff members, were very uncomfortable with the Rebel mascot, which ceases to serve its intended purpose, district officials said in a written statement in July.
An online community petition with more than 1,400 signatures, and a student-formed petition that garnered more than 500 signatures, also were submitted and considered in the board’s decision, district officials had said.
Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/01/25/hawks-replace-confederacy-linked-hays-high-rebel-mascot-district-rebrand-school/6701522002/